Nightlife tourism: the global trend that will grow by 2025 with cultural and culinary routes and experiences under the stars, according to experts.

Late last year, the online travel platform Booking.com surveyed more than 27,000 people in 33 countries and territories. One of the key predictions revealed by the study was clear: by 2025, tourists would increasingly seek out nighttime experiences , not only related to astronomy, but also the chance to explore cities from a new perspective.

For several years now, this type of tourism has gained traction globally, driven largely by two key factors: changing traveler preferences and climate conditions.

This is explained by María Carolina Padilla, country manager for Civitatis, who points out that the rise in daytime temperatures, especially in summer or in areas with year-round warm climates, has led many to reorganize their itineraries to enjoy destinations at cooler times.

“There's also a shift in the way we travel: more and more people are seeking authentic, immersive, and less conventional experiences. In this context, nights offer a completely different atmosphere: illuminated monuments, less crowded streets, and a cultural and culinary scene that thrives in the dark,” says Padilla.

Although this trend is popular in classic destinations like Rome, Madrid, and Paris, it is also growing in other regions. According to the expert, "travelers who opt for nightlife are often motivated by the desire to experience the destination from a more sensorial and less conventional perspective ."

For his part, Mirco Fiumene, marketing director of TUI Musement—a tours and activities platform—highlights that this segment has established itself as a way to expand the tourist experience beyond traditional schedules.

"Although there are cities where this trend is more pronounced, such as Bangkok, Phuket, Las Vegas, and Prague, it's a global phenomenon, driven also by social media, which encourages the search for special, photogenic moments even at night," says Fiumene. Among the most representative examples, the spokesperson mentions sunset walks in the desert in Marrakech or dinner cruises on the Danube in Budapest.

According to Padilla, cities like New York, Madrid, and Buenos Aires stand out for their nightlife, especially in the summer, with gastronomic tours, outdoor shows , and tours of urban viewpoints that take advantage of the views and the dynamism of their streets.

In Latin America, cities like Medellín and Mexico City are strongly investing in nightlife as a driving force for tourism and the economy , through cultural, culinary, and entertainment tours designed for the evening.

Another emerging trend, according to Padilla, is night hiking, which is increasingly popular among adventurous travelers looking to connect with nature in a different way. This activity allows visitors to discover transformed landscapes, starry skies, and wildlife active at night.

For Fiumene, today's tourists are looking for more sensory and emotional connections with destinations , often through lighting, music, local life, or stargazing.

At Tui Musement, the most notable experiences are dinner cruises in Asia and visits to monuments and iconic sites like La Pedrera in Barcelona.

These types of tours often have specific themes: legends, mysteries, artistic lighting, gastronomy, or local life. Civitatis, for example, has an extensive catalog of nighttime activities around the world. Among the top-rated by users are:

As for Colombians' favorite activities, Padilla highlights night tours of Madrid, Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Rome, Paris, and Lima , which combine history, art, and entertainment.

"Younger travelers tend to opt for culinary offerings, nightlife, and urban experiences; while couples or cultural travelers prefer guided tours, concerts, or traditional shows ," says the Tui Musement spokesperson.

Fiumene assures that nightlife tourism will continue to grow, as will sustainable initiatives, as many destinations are opting to ease the pressure on busy daytime tourist spots with new experiences designed for the evening.

ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - TRAVEL EDITORIAL - @ANGS0614